Evening
Hopefully you're not sick of this type of question!
I've had a few quotes for a boiler upgrade (going from a regular boiler (~15 yrs old, on its last legs) to a combi) - all recommending different brand/model of boiler, and all company's are saying that their recommendation is the best given my current circumstances.
I know that if 5 people respond, I'll most likely get 5 contrasting opinions, however these opinions will hopefully help me make a decision!
Current situation:
4 bed detached house (cavity insulated with double glazing); 13 rads (absolutely tiny, none are more than 60cm wide); 1 bath; 1 shower (electric, so can be factored out of the equation); the gas pipe is 15mm, so a larger one will be installed at the gas meter; water rate is 15l pm. Not currently interested in replacing like-for-like or converting to a system boiler due to cost of upgrading the ancient hot water cylinder. I may look to extend the house in the future, and get larger radiators, so a slightly oversized boiler would be preferable - I understand that boiler modulation should compensate for oversizing.
My priorities are:
Wide modulation range; easy of servicing and sourcing of replacement parts; reliable long warranty; OpenTherm compatible. I understand that stainless There's also the potential that I'll be looking to attach a thermal store powered by solar panels in the future.
Current quotes:
Local engineer 1: Ideal Logic Max 35kw
Local engineer 2: Ideal Vogue Max 40kw
Local engineer 3: WB Greenstar 8000 Life 40kw
Online boiler company 1: Viessmann Vitodens 050-W 30kw
Online boiler company 1: WB Greenstar 4000 30kw
Online boiler company 2: Ideal Logic+ 35kw
As an aside, the engineer I spoke to from Online boiler company 1 claimed that the person who designed the 050-W managed to get their gas bill down to £18pm. No specifics attached to the claim, so I'll take that with a huge boulder of salt. Also, given the kw specified, I'm sure that he's quoted on the basis of a 3 bed house, but he's adamant that it's for a 4 bed....
My breakdown of the various brands is as follows:
Ideal:
+ Uses OpenTherm; good warranty on the Max range (12 yrs); cheap; uses 3rd party parts; decent modulation ratio (7:1)
- Lowest modulation ratio (7:1); all use (apart from Vogue) aluminium heat exchangers
WB:
+ Highest modulation ratio (10:1); doesn’t use OpenTherm, but an adapter is available; 10/12 yr warranty (if use accredited installer & install Greenstar system filter); replacement parts normally easy to source (though not right now as I understand); Which 'Best Buy' at 84%; easy to install
- Apparently difficult to work on?; aluminium heat exchangers; plastic hydraulic components
Viessman
+ Decent modulation range (8:1); Which 'Best Buy' at 81%; supposedly very good build; stainless steel heat exchanger; uses OpenTherm
- Negative: Has rubber hoses; expensive & more difficult to fix
I'm inclined to go with the WB 8000 Life, but as a 35kw model, on the basis of the widest modulation and longest warranty.
What's your take on these options? Does anyone want to throw in a curveball here?
All comments gratefully (within reason!) received!
Cheers
Hopefully you're not sick of this type of question!
I've had a few quotes for a boiler upgrade (going from a regular boiler (~15 yrs old, on its last legs) to a combi) - all recommending different brand/model of boiler, and all company's are saying that their recommendation is the best given my current circumstances.
I know that if 5 people respond, I'll most likely get 5 contrasting opinions, however these opinions will hopefully help me make a decision!
Current situation:
4 bed detached house (cavity insulated with double glazing); 13 rads (absolutely tiny, none are more than 60cm wide); 1 bath; 1 shower (electric, so can be factored out of the equation); the gas pipe is 15mm, so a larger one will be installed at the gas meter; water rate is 15l pm. Not currently interested in replacing like-for-like or converting to a system boiler due to cost of upgrading the ancient hot water cylinder. I may look to extend the house in the future, and get larger radiators, so a slightly oversized boiler would be preferable - I understand that boiler modulation should compensate for oversizing.
My priorities are:
Wide modulation range; easy of servicing and sourcing of replacement parts; reliable long warranty; OpenTherm compatible. I understand that stainless There's also the potential that I'll be looking to attach a thermal store powered by solar panels in the future.
Current quotes:
Local engineer 1: Ideal Logic Max 35kw
Local engineer 2: Ideal Vogue Max 40kw
Local engineer 3: WB Greenstar 8000 Life 40kw
Online boiler company 1: Viessmann Vitodens 050-W 30kw
Online boiler company 1: WB Greenstar 4000 30kw
Online boiler company 2: Ideal Logic+ 35kw
As an aside, the engineer I spoke to from Online boiler company 1 claimed that the person who designed the 050-W managed to get their gas bill down to £18pm. No specifics attached to the claim, so I'll take that with a huge boulder of salt. Also, given the kw specified, I'm sure that he's quoted on the basis of a 3 bed house, but he's adamant that it's for a 4 bed....
My breakdown of the various brands is as follows:
Ideal:
+ Uses OpenTherm; good warranty on the Max range (12 yrs); cheap; uses 3rd party parts; decent modulation ratio (7:1)
- Lowest modulation ratio (7:1); all use (apart from Vogue) aluminium heat exchangers
WB:
+ Highest modulation ratio (10:1); doesn’t use OpenTherm, but an adapter is available; 10/12 yr warranty (if use accredited installer & install Greenstar system filter); replacement parts normally easy to source (though not right now as I understand); Which 'Best Buy' at 84%; easy to install
- Apparently difficult to work on?; aluminium heat exchangers; plastic hydraulic components
Viessman
+ Decent modulation range (8:1); Which 'Best Buy' at 81%; supposedly very good build; stainless steel heat exchanger; uses OpenTherm
- Negative: Has rubber hoses; expensive & more difficult to fix
I'm inclined to go with the WB 8000 Life, but as a 35kw model, on the basis of the widest modulation and longest warranty.
What's your take on these options? Does anyone want to throw in a curveball here?
All comments gratefully (within reason!) received!
Cheers
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